Somalia Registers First National-Flagged Vessel Since State Collapse

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: The Ministry of Ports and Marine Transport Somalia has announced the official registration of the vessel Guney under the Somali flag, marking what authorities describe as the first such milestone since the collapse of the Somali state in 1991.

According to the ministry, the vessel—identified as Guney (IMO No. 8230417)—was formally entered into Somalia’s national ship registry following the establishment of the required legal and regulatory framework governing maritime operations.

Officials say the move represents a significant step in the country’s long-running efforts to rebuild its maritime sector, which has remained largely underdeveloped for decades due to conflict, institutional breakdown, and the absence of a functioning national registry.

The ministry noted that the registration comes after Somalia adopted key national legislation and aligned its systems with international maritime regulations, enabling it to reassert control over its shipping registry and participate more actively in global maritime trade.

In its statement, the ministry described the development as part of a broader strategy to modernize maritime infrastructure, expand sea-based commerce, and strengthen the country’s “blue economy”—a term used to refer to sustainable economic activities linked to oceans and coastal resources.

Authorities also issued an open invitation to ship owners, investors, and international partners to register vessels under the Somali flag and invest in the country’s maritime sector, signaling a push to position Somalia as a competitive player in regional and international shipping.

The initiative is aligned with the federal government’s wider economic reform agenda and national development priorities, including the implementation of the National Transformation Plan (NTP).